BRAIN Neuroethics Working Group Meeting
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Neuroethics Working Group (NEWG) Meeting January 26th, 2021 On January 26th, 2021, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative Neuroethics Working Group (NEWG) met virtually to discuss emerging ethics themes in the BRAIN portfolio and potential future workshop topics, and revisited neuroethics themes in the BRAIN 2.0 reports. In opening remarks, John Ngai, PhD, Director of the NIH BRAIN Initiative, emphasized the importance of continuing to work towards equity, in general and in the neuroethics space. He also reminded participants of the joint session with the Multi-Council Working Group (MCWG) and NEWG, which took place the following day. Next, Saskia Hendriks, MD, PhD, Faculty in the NIH Bioethics Department and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Neuroethics Consultant, presented key findings from an analysis on emerging neuroethical considerations in BRAIN grants awarded during fiscal year 2020. Dr. Hendriks summarized 12 themes identified by the analysis, which fell into two broad groups of potential ethical challenges: conducting research ethically; and the implications of research, tools, and technologies on individuals, groups, and society. The NEWG valued these findings, recognizing that the themes were consistent with concurrent discussions of neuroethics priorities for BRAIN. Participants also considered increasing funding opportunity outreach efforts to neuroscientists interested in partnering with neuroethicists. Further, the group acknowledged the need to raise awareness about the value of integrating neuroethics into neuroscience research, potentially by hosting a workshop on identifying ways to facilitate this integration. Henry (Hank) T. Greely, JD, Director of Law and Biosciences at Stanford University and co-chair of the NEWG, led a discussion on potential future NEWG workshop topics for the next phase of the NIH BRAIN Initiative.
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